Share seasonal cheer with friends and family at the Christmas markets
 David Laurent

Share seasonal cheer with friends and family at the Christmas markets  David Laurent

The markets are part of the Ville de Luxembourg’s Winterlights programme that also features concerts, parades, film screenings and a tea dance. They are a great place to soak up some early seasonal cheer, grab a bite to eat or share a drink with friends.

The beverage of choice must be the traditional Glühwein (mulled wine), while food comes in the form of the familiar grilled sausages and cotlettes, a hearty lentil or bean soup or the always-popular Gromperekichelcher.

Live concerts are a feature of the market on the place d’Armes, with local bands and choirs providing seasonal music in the evenings and in the afternoons at weekends.

Last year’s Christmas market novelty, the big wheel at the new market on the place de la Constitution near the Gëlle Fra, has been joined by another landmark this year. A giant Christmas pyramid, based on the seasonal table decoration beloved of Germanic speaking countries, has been installed next to the wheel.

The markets on place d’Armes and place de la Constitution are open until 5 p.m. Christmas Eve, December 24, but open from 10.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and until 10 p.m. at the weekends.

There is also a smaller market at the Puits rouge (Rouden Pëtz) on the Grand Rue where local charities are selling all manner of items to raise money for their good works.

mong them is the international section of the Luxemburg Round Table, which will be selling traditional Swedish Glögg this Saturday, November 23, from 11 a.m. there will also be sweeter. Non-alcoholic beverages for youngsters. Proceeds go to the charity’s Project Fishing Boat, which is helping people in Thailand to finance their own fishing boats.